STRATUM:
Running a STRATUM
Analysis
Creating a STRATUM Project
Define
Objectives
Install STRATUM
Choose
Inventory Method
Format/
Quality Check/
Convert Data to Access
Import Access
Database to STRATUM
Start STRATUM
Project
Define Data
Inputs
Use Existing
Inventory
OR
Perform Sample
Inventory
Draw Random
Sample
Map Sample
Install i-Tree
(Desktop and PDA
Configure PDA
Quality Check
Report Results
Collect Data
Interpret Results
Community Forest
Management Plan
Transfer Data to
Desktop
OR
Perform Full
Inventory
Process Overview
Creating a new STRATUM project:
Formatting your inventory database
 i-Tree Inventory PDA Utility
 Other inventories
Converting Excel inventories to Access format
 STRATUM formatted spreadsheet
 Create Access table for STRATUM import
Import Access database into STRATUM
Define Unmatched Species Codes
Define Inventory
Step 1: Formatting the Inventory
Database
i-Tree PDA Utility
 Do not require formatting
 Shared database w/MCTI
 A STRATUM-compatible
Access table is automatically
produced
Other Inventories
 STRATUM can only run after a
STRATUM-formatted MS Access
inventory table has been imported.
 Formatting requirements:
 MS Access (.mdb) table named
“STRATUM_Inventory”
 Must have STRATUM field headings

17 field names: order, spelling, case sensitive

Format (i.e., numeric vs. alpha-numeric; null
value)
Step 2: Converting Excel inventories into
Access Tables for STRATUM
 Convert data to
STRATUM format
 Create metadata
sheet
 Create Access
database and
import inventory
Step 3: Import Access Database into
STRATUM
Launch STRATUM application
Define inventory type (sample
vs. full)
Import STRATUM-formatted
.mdb file
Establish DBH value and
Management Zones
Select Climate Region
Step 4: Define Unmatched Species
Codes
STRATUM Limited to known predominant
species by climate zone
National Tree Database Codes
~22 species modeled per Climate Zone
Species Value Assignments
Tree Types
Non-tree Species Codes
Used for stocking reports
Won’t be counted as trees in reports
E.g., AVPSM = Available Planting Space for
Medium tree
Step 5: Define Inventory
Data fields
Default or Custom
Units (DBH only)
Tree Inventory by Record
Edit existing records
Insert new trees
Define Sample Data
Total number of Street Segments
(Citywide or by Zone)
Change numbered zones to area
name
Define City Data
Define Cost Data
Define Benefit Price Data
Energy
 Heating and Cooling
Benefit Price Data
Air Pollution Emissions
 Transaction costs
 Wang & Santini
Carbon Dioxide
 eCO2.com
Stormwater Runoff
Reduction
 Detention/Retention
 Program Expenditures
 Sanitary Water Treatment
Aesthetic and Other
Benefits
 Median Home Sales Price
STRATUM:
Reporting & Interpretation
Define
Objectives
Install STRATUM
Choose
Inventory Method
Format/
Quality Check/
Convert Data to Access
Import Access
Database to STRATUM
Start STRATUM
Project
Define Data
Inputs
Report Results
Interpret Results
Community Forest
Management Plan
Generating &
Interpreting Reports
Use Existing
Inventory
OR
Perform Sample
Inventory
Draw Random
Sample
Map Sample
Install i-Tree
(Desktop and PDA
Configure PDA
Quality Check
Collect Data
Transfer Data to
Desktop
OR
Perform Full
Inventory
Report Results
Resource Structure
Analysis
Benefit Cost Analysis
Interpret Results
Community Forest
Management Plan
Resource Structure Analysis:
15 Basic Reports
Population Summary
Species Distribution
Relative Age
Distribution
Importance Values
Condition
Relative Performance
Index (RPI)
Stocking Level
Maintenance
Recommendation
Maintenance Task
Land Use
Location
Conflicts
Canopy Cover
Other
Replacement Values
Benefit-Cost Analysis Reports
Annual Benefits
 Energy
 Stormwater
 Air Quality
 Carbon Dioxide
 Aesthetic/other
 All
Management Costs
Net Annual Benefits
STRATUM Reports
Global Exports to Excel Spreadsheets
 Can interface with graphs and change them
 Manipulate data and select your own format type
Screen Prints to PDF, Excel, Word and RTF
files
 As viewed on screen - ready for reports,
publications
 Fixed formatting on some reports
Generating Reports
2. Select Resource Structural Analysis
1. Go to Report
3. Select Report Type –
Population
Screen Tools for Viewing Reports
Toggle Group Tree
Tabs
Search
Zoom
GoTo Page
Page selection
Report Format Selections
Refresh screen (changing between report formats)
Screen export
Print shortcut
Define
Objectives
Install STRATUM
Choose
Inventory Method
Format/
Quality Check/
Convert Data to Access
Import Access
Database to STRATUM
Start STRATUM
Project
Define Data
Inputs
Report Results
Interpret Results
Community Forest
Management Plan
Use Existing
Inventory
OR
Perform Sample
Inventory
Draw Random
Sample
Map Sample
Install i-Tree
(Desktop and PDA)
Configure PDA
Quality Check
Collect Data
Transfer Data to
Desktop
OR
Perform Full
Inventory
Management Considerations
The average tree provides over $125 in
annual benefits.
Davis’s street trees return $5 for every $1
spent on their management.
Can Davis’s trees sustain
this level of benefits?
Management Issues
Needs to achieve:
1. Adequate structural complexity
2. Adequate canopy cover
3. Adequate pruning & maintenance
Structural Complexity
Goal:
Achieve adequate structural complexity
focused on long-term benefits
How?:
Plant species that are well adapted and
long-lived
Reduce over reliance on too few species
Rejuvenation of areas where even, oldaged stands predominate
Stable Canopy Cover
Goal:
Maximize Canopy Cover to offset
detrimental effects of hardscape
How?:
Perpetuate current canopy cover
 Selective removal and replacement where even,
old-aged stands predominate
Promote additional coverage
 Fill empty spaces
 Plant large-stature trees where feasible
 Select well adapted and long-lived species
Pruning & Maintenance
Goal:
Improve tree condition to increase benefits
provided while reducing liability and long-term
maintenance costs
How?:
Improve young tree care
Adjust pruning cycle: 8 yrs to 4-5 yrs
Target species in the poorest health
Conclusion
Davis has approx. 24,000 street trees.
Citywide, the publicly managed trees
produce $3.1 million in annual benefits for
a total cost of $560,000.
Continuing this level of benefits will take
strategic program planning:
Adequate young tree care.
More frequent inspection and pruning.
Rejuvenating aging populations.
Planting areas void of trees.
STRATUM in Practice
Municipal BCA
Municipal Tree
Resource
Assessments/State of
the Urban Forest
Community Forest
Management Plans
 City of Davis
Program Advocacy
 City of N. Vancouver
Street Tree Resource Analysis/State of
the Urban Forest Report
Executive Summary
The Tree Resource
Management Costs
Annual Benefits
Management Implications
 Resource complexity
 Resource extent
 Maintenance needs
Appendices
Davis Community Forest
Management Plan
Overview
Context: Existing Conditions
 History of Tree Management
 Administration and Management
 State of the Community Forest
Community Forest Goals, Policies,
Standards and Actions
Glossary
Appendices
http://www.cityofdavis.org/pcs/t
rees/cfmp.cfm
STRATUM & Street Tree Master
Plans
Provide the best
SERVICE possible
 Most efficient use of
resources
 Maximize net benefits of
trees
 Increase customer
Satisfaction
 Cornerstone of compelling
case for program funding
Identify Funding Sources
Tree planting grants
Public awareness and volunteer training
grants
Local measures
 Assessment districts
 Parcel tax
Other revenue sources
 Carbon dioxide emission reduction credits
 Shade tree programs for energy conservation
 Stormwater management
 Air pollution mitigation
Advocacy